Kean Coffee

The shops offer a dozen varietals of coffee that are brewed throughout the day. Owner Martin Diedrich hand-picks coffees by visiting the regions where they are grown around the world.

An extensive drink menu includes traditional espressos, teas, "chocolate bar" and specialty items, such as a Turkish latte with cardamom. Baristas invent new seasonal drinks, such as ice-blended concoctions for summer.

Coffee beans are roasted on site in machines built and manufactured by Diedrich's brother, Stephan.

Claim to fame: Martin Diedrich has been involved with coffee since he was a child growing up in Guatemala, where his family owned a small coffee farm, and later founded Diedrich Coffee in Orange County. In 2005, Diedrich and his wife, Karen, opened the first Kean Coffee house with the intention of making it a gathering place. "While we feature these really fun coffees, what we're really more known for is as a community coffeehouse – the contemporary version of the old town square," Diedrich said. He samples 750 types of coffee each year to hand-select which 40 or so will be offered at the locations. At the Tustin location, a dozen or so types of coffees are on display below a poster showing patrons how to choose one. Pastries and other items are also available in a bustling corner café.

Did you know? Owner Martin Diedrich was presented with the Specialty Coffee Association's Lifetime Achievement Award in 2005.